Since the agricultural transformation began in the United States, the United
States only seemed to improve agriculturally. The Western Hemisphere was the
first to progress towards this transformation, displaying the United States as a
leader in agriculture. As stated by Dan Hillel in The Agricultural
Transformation, “The Agricultural Transformation is very likely the most
momentous turn in the progress of humankind…The ability to raise crops and
livestock, while resulting in a greater and more secure supply of food,
definitely required attachment to controllable sections of land, and hence
brought about the growth of permanent settlements and of larger coordinated
communities.” Thus, this transformation ensured a supply of food and ended the
need to roam about for food. This development was an important change in the
structure of society, also a step in building a prestigious reputation as being
a leader in agriculture. It gave United States a sense of organization and
strength which indeed helped in its development. “Simply put, agriculture
means raising things on purpose, and the American Indians were the first farmers
in the Western Hemisphere,” said by R. Douglas Hurt in the article
Mesoamerican Origins. The American Indians (Mesoamericans) agriculture became
more complex. They learned how to grow crops such as tomatoes, beans, and a wide
variety of plants. They also learned other techniques such as clearing land and
also irrigation. Because of their success, other Mesoamericans began to settle
and also adopted their fellow Mesoamerican farming techniques. Agriculture
became more and more popular and important that the white settlers also began to
farm. Over time, as farming became more popular, the United States thrived on
agriculture. It became an important issue especially to Thomas Jefferson. He was
a key person in leading the agricultural development of the United States.
Thomas Jefferson believed in agrarianism and thought highly of farmers. An
agriculture leader should understand why agriculture is important and how to
improve and also maintain a good status agriculturally. And Thomas Jefferson
held all these qualities. He did what was best for the farmers as well as others
in the United States. And by him being a great leader agriculturally, many
others in the government kept his ideas in mind. That is what made this country
strong, we develop from our past and in effect our country has grown stronger.
For example, In 1970- a farmer could provide enough for 2 people In 1935- a
farmer could provide enough for 10 people In 1992- a farmer could provide enough
for 127 people In 1998- a farmer could provide enough for over 130 people This
shows a growth in efficiency. But now only 2% of the population in the United
States are farmers, meaning that only 2% of our population produces for the
whole nation. Although this percentage is extremely low, it displays that we are
agriculturally strong. Even other countries of the world depend on our
agriculture. United States exports about 40% of what we produce. United states
has grown from a society of hunter-gatherer to a society of agriculture. United
States has improved in agriculture over time and has made it become stronger and
in turn a leader. In conclusion, United States is the world leader in
agriculture due to the people, the land, leadership, development and strength,
United States has the ability maintain all qualities and also improve.
